NCJ Number
189258
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: 2001 Pages: 63-77
Date Published
2001
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article focuses on issues concerning women’s security after their release from prison.
Abstract
This research project followed 200 women through their prison sentence, from reception to resettlement in the community. A significant proportion of these women had suffered prior physical and sexual abuse, few had received any help with this, and in many cases, there appeared to be links between the abuse and their offending behavior. While there are arguments for not dealing with this abuse in a prison setting, this does present the prison system with something of a challenge to address these issues and those dealing with drug use. What is most important is that women are able to manage their own security on release. This ability is seriously curtailed when women are relocated within families which were the site of their abuse, when they are unable to exercise choices about where they will live, and when they are denied the financial autonomy to break free of enforced dependency. The new standards on resettlement, issued by the Prison Service, provide a timely opportunity to respond to women’s overriding need to remain free from harm caused by other people. These refer to reducing the risk of re-offending and the risk of harm posed by the prisoners themselves. Also mentioned is the importance of maintaining family ties, activities and programs which reflect the needs of women, and ready access to advice and assistance with personal problems. 31 notes.